Faith to Persevere

By N. Wolf

Visiting an Irish castle proved nearly fatal for twenty-five English actress Gertrude Thomason when she tried to understand her fascination with the edifice. Through past-life regressions, Thomason traveled to Ireland in 1652, where she discovered how prayer helps the Chapmans, and the Clement-Gareths, two English Protestant families, achieved financial independence, romance, and stability in Ireland, amid staunch opposition from Irish Catholic nationalists. However, finishing this quest became more urgent after Thomason contracted the same malady that afflicted her namesake Gertrude Chapman.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Oct 10, 2014
• ISBN: 9780692292396

Book preview

Crown.

CHAPTER I

Twenty-five-year-old English actress Gertrude Thomason had starred in several successful historical fiction movies by the 1950s. Thomason had short blonde curly hair and dimples in both cheeks. She also had a bright smile. Her fair complexion bore no latent flaws. She also acquired an eclectic collection of lotions, feathers, and flowers. The lotions came from family or were souvenirs from vacations to continental Europe that seemed useful or struck her fancy. She used the lotions to soothe her skin and found them effective. The feathers and flowers came from her expansive backyard that resembled a canvas splattered with bright colors. She liked spending mornings or afternoons in her expansive backyard collecting feathers that had fallen from birds and flower specimens, regardless of the weather. She cut where the stem and branch met. Then, she placed the parts inside a folded sheet of wax paper. She then placed the paper between two thick books and left everything for several days. Finally, she placed the finished product in an album. The repetition associated with pressing plants had a therapeutic effect on her. The process was slow and required precision, both of which kept her attention away from negative thoughts. Though most wealthy families had gardeners, she preferred tending to her flowers and connecting with the earth. No one understood why she collected these items. In fact, her private life always remained a mystery.

Her most recent role brought Thomason to Ireland for the first time. Within days of arrival, the history and beauty of Ireland fascinated her. Most of the filming transpired in a medieval Irish castle, which proved to be her favorite setting. One day, during a break between scenes, Thomason thought about buying a castle in Ireland. She may never live there, but owning a castle in Ireland would fill an inexplicable void in her life. Thomason did not know why an Irish castle would fill the void. As Thomason pondered which castle to purchase, one of the men working on set approached her. He did not know about her interest in Irish castles. The told her that, during a guided tour, he learned about an Irish castle with a storied past. He figured she might be interested in the castle, given her numerous roles in historical fiction movies. The man said he learned through research that the castle belonged to a trust. The trustee was an elderly gentleman who was eager to dispose of the castle. He had no use for the massive structure and did not have any heirs. He was ready to sell the castle. Thomason was eager to see the castle. She decided to consult parents Ava and Ellis, along with guardian Beatrix Ellingsworth, who were taking a tour of nearby villages and expected back in ten minutes.

Ava, Ellis, and Beatrix took care of and always wanted the best for Thomason, as she was very important to them. Her parents and guardian always used sound judgment when making decisions concerning her welfare or financial transactions. She sensed their devotion, which helped her trust them. The security from this trust and a prosperous career allowed her to live carefree. But, she did not take her privileged life for granted. Movie executives convinced Ava and Ellis to appoint a guardian for Thomason, who was then ten-years-old. The guardian would make sure Ava and Ellis did not exercise undue influence over Thomason. They feared any impression of parents taking advantage of their children would tarnish their reputations and the careers. When Thomason became an adult, Beatrix stayed with the family and acted mostly as a consultant. Beatrix knew the Thomasons well and could be relied upon for sound judgment. When her parents an guardian returned, Thomason told them about the castle. The three adults decided to leave with the man after filming concluded that day.

All five left for the castle by train and arrived at their destination within a few hours. With wide eyes and dilated pupils, Thomason marveled at the miles of untended light green hills from which rose three white columns and eleven trees. The tallest column looked like a rook from chess. The other two columns looked like rectangles. Three trees stood near the entrance. Eight trees protruded from the hills. Otherwise, miles of untended rolling light green hills surrounded the edifice. Ava; Ellis; Beatrix; and, the man were amazed by the majesty and seclusion around them but at a lesser extent. Thomason never heard of or saw the castle. Yet, the castle felt familiar to her.

Maybe, I had a past life in the castle, Thomason said to herself. Maybe, the castle had a haunted past. Maybe, someone cursed the castle. Maybe, there was betrayal; brutality; illness; or, historical significance.

Thomason heard about past lives but never dared to believe that people lived in the past as other beings. Thomason felt silly asking her parents or Beatrix about past lives but felt more determined to uncover whether a personal connection with the castle existed.

While returning to the set a few hours later, Thomason remained deep in thought. She wanted to own the castle. Something about the castle captured her soul, and she did not want to resist that invisible force. Her parents and guardian notice her introspection and asked whether anything was the matter. She told them about her fascination with the castle, and then about past lives.

Would it be okay to find out if I have a past-life connection with the castle? she said.

The adults looked at each other in amazement at how a ten-year-old could know of past lives. They heard about past lives but never delved into the subject. They sensed her insistence and realized that a connection may exist.

Let us think about that, Ava said.

Thomason twitched in disappointment. She expected an immediate affirmative answer. Instead, she would have to wait for any answer. Filming continued smoothly. Thomason learned to think less about the castle and focus more on her movie.

Meanwhile, Beatrix made discrete inquiries for someone experienced in past-life regression. One week later, she met Leonora Gregory, a hypnotherapist in London who had been helping people revisit their past lives for the last twelve years. The two spoke in private. Afterward, the hypnotherapist agreed to help Thomason find out whether she had a past life connected to the castle. The two also agreed on compensation. Beatrix returned to Ireland and related the arrangement to Ava and Ellis.

During a two-week break in filming, Thomason, along with her parents and guardian, visited the hypnotherapist at her office in London. No one else knew of their plans. The office was, small, tidy, and traditionally furnished. The hypnotherapist greeted them and guided her visitors into a small patient room. The patient room consisted of a long comfortable sofa for clients and several cushioned arm chairs. The Leonora sat at her desk. Thomason lay on the sofa. Everyone else sat on the arm chairs. Next, Leonora sufficiently educated them about hypnotherapy and what to expect during each session. Her visitors were eager to start the regression. Leonora slowly placed Thomason into a peaceful, unconscious state. Thomason felt as if she was in a seventeenth-century movie.

CHAPTER II

King Charles I signed a deed for one plot of Irish land to Tobias Chapman, in exchange for a significant sum.

I allot to thee this plot of land, the king said, as he handed over the deed completed with a royal seal.

Tobias was excited to finally own acres of land on which he planned to build a castle. He never considered establishing his legacy in Ireland but welcomed the opportunity. Everything Tobias possessed was inherited. Though he appreciated the fortune, Tobias longed to achieve greatness on his own accord.

The next day, he left home on a chartered horse carriage for uncharted territory. The trip to Ireland was arduous with strong winds and thick fog. Yet, his enthusiasm never subsided, and he could not wait to visit his plot of land. The excitement was too much for him. During his voyage, Tobias spent hours staring at the blue canvas above occasionally dotted by flocks of seagulls. He compared his voyage to the migration of birds in that they were relocating to another home. However, the birds would return to their starting points. He and his family were permanently returning to Ireland. During his daydreams, Tobias remained oblivious to the mixture of loud conversations around him. Occasionally, other passengers accidentally jostled him, interrupting his thoughts. The sudden pressure of elbows against soft flesh reminded Tobias of how much he missed his family and triggered bouts of depression. Fortunately, thinking about his family often brought Tobias to a joyful state.

My darling wife Shannan will be queen of the castle, once she and I are together again, Tobias said to himself. I hope she and our children are alright.

Hopefully, Gertrude will finally find a husband. Shannan and I are worried there is no hope for her. Perhaps, new company that comes with a change of scenery will be the answer. Our youngest daughter Rachelle will probably adjust before the rest of us. She has the fewest memories of England and will be less attached to the past. Our son Wade can be his own man when he inherits everything one day. Shannan and I are proud of him. He will represent the family name well.

Tobias also envisioned the role and appearance of his castle. He wanted the castle to be a safe residence, like other castles, for him and his family. Tobias admired the architectural grandeur of Tullynally castle. He, too, wanted the castle to display his wealth and function as headquarters for the family trade business. Trade was still the most lucrative business in Ireland, especially with few participants. Tobias decided to trade textiles. Even during a sluggish economy, people still needed fabrics.

Tobias was an Englishman whose lineage extended to the Roman conquest. His parents made sure he knew the family lineage, and Tobias was proud of his background. With sufficient income from inheritances, rent, and overseas investments, his parents could afford to not work. At home, nannies looked after him. He hardly saw his parents, except during extended family vacations, which triggered fond memories. After boarding school, Tobias joined the navy for several years. His mother still provided him with a monthly allowance, most of which he saved. Tobias loved England and remained loyal to the Crown. Since adolescence, Tobias was keen on politics and knowledgeable about current events. As part of the nobility, he inherited a seat in Parliament. He enjoyed being involved in the process of making laws, taking stands of major issues, and drafting bills. Moving to Ireland would limit his access to information about English politics, but Tobias figured he could find a solution.

Tobias knew that Ireland had a different culture. He recalled the Irish uprisings under King Charles I and that led to civil wars in England. Otherwise, he did not know much about Ireland. Still, he came to Ireland with an open heart, and an open mind. Tobias was willing to embrace a different culture. If he wanted to make Ireland like England, then staying home would be the best option, because everything would be English. Tensions between England and Ireland did not bother him. The battles were over now and England controlled Ireland. England dismantled the Dublin Parliament, secured allegiance from new Irish subjects, and monopolized trade. Irish politics ceased to exist, which extinguished hope for Irish nationalists. Tobias did not want another massacre, especially now that more English lives would be in jeopardy.

Religious differences between England and Ireland did not bother Tobias, either. Tobias respected Catholicism, though he did not entirely agree with the Catholic Church. He did not fear persecution for being Protestant. Most of the English citizens moving to Ireland were also Protestant. Thus, he and his family would not be alone in their religious beliefs. His family practiced Protestantism since the reign of Queen Elizabeth I when they served Her Majesty. Tobias had a collection of